hopkinson



7 March 6, 1962 'M. L. HOPKINSON I PNEUMATIC SHUTTLE ACTUATINGJMEANS 9Sheets-Sheet l Qrigin al Filed May 15, 1949 IN V EN TOR. fifa rk LHopk/hson B Y m: Rwy

March 6, 1962 M. L. HOPKINSON PNEUMATIC SHUTTLE ACTUATING MEANS OriginalFiled May 13 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

March 6, 1962 M. HOPKINSON PNEUMATIC SHUTTLE ACTUATING MEANS 9Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed May 13, 1949 y. ]NVENTOR. J Mair/rLMVopk/naon March 6, 1962 M. L. HOPKINSON Re. 25,132

PNEUMATIC SHUTTLE ACTUATING MEANS 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed May15, 1949 I32 //////ll INVENTOR.

2 Mar/r L -//opk/'nson A March 6, 1962 M. 1.. HOPKINSON PNEUMATICSHUTTLE ACTUATING MEANS 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed May 13, 1949 IIl INVENTOR.

Mark L- h o o/n'noon flmwwg A 77' ORNE Y March 6, 1962 M. L. HOPKINSONPNEUMATIC SHUTTLE ACTUATING MEANS 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Original Filed May13, 1949 m m w m Mar/r A -//0 0 km'son I MFWM4 A T7'ORNEY March 6, 1962M. L. HOPKINSON 2 PNEUMATIC SHUTTLE AGTUATING MEANS Original Filed May15, 1949 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 RAM/M fofi 2 7 m u a M 2 l M 1 MM 2 w T j 2 z2 March 6, 1962 M. L. HOPKINSON PNEUMATIC SHUTTLE ACTUATING MEANS 9Sheets-Sheet 9 Original Filed May 15, 1949 INVENTOR. Mark L v /opllnsonUnited States Patent Oflflce Re. 25,132 Reissued Mar. 6, 1962 25,132PNEUMATIC SHUTTLE ACTUATING MEANS Mark L. Hopkiuson, Los Angeles,Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Modernair Corporation, SanLeandro, Calif., a corporation of California Original No. 2,677,933,dated May 11, 1954, Ser. No. 93,038, May 13, 1949. Application forreissue June 28, 1961, Ser. No. 124,279

12 Claims. (Cl. 60-57) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in theoriginal patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matterprinted in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

The shuttle in all power looms of which I am aware, moves across thewarp to lay the weft under impact of the free end of oscillatable pickersticks.

Those familiar with power looms are also aware of the awkwardness andcumbersomeness of the picker stick motion as a means to developoscillatory power for movement of the shuttle; of the extensive andcostly entrained power leverage system necessary for the operationthereof; of the inherent limitation upon the speed of weaving duethereto; of the frequent breakage of picker sticks with accompanyingshut-down of the loom for replacement there of; of the excessivevibration in the loorn due to unbalanced movement of the picker sticks,a condition frequently resulting in crystallization of the working partsand breakage due thereto; of excessive and enervating noise which wearsdown the health and eificiency of loom attendants; of thedisproportionate amount of power consumed by the picker stick motion ascompared with the remainder of the power requirements of a loom; and, ofthe physical danger to attendants due to the very nature of the pickerstick motion.

The foregoing remarks. are pertinent objections to present day shuttleoperating means, and as will be pointed out, are clearly at variancewith the shuttle operating means of this invention, of and concerningwhich the following may be mentioned as being among the objects,features and advantages thereof.

(1) To provide a shuttle actuating device which is compact and directacting without dependency upon extensive co-related rotating andreciprocating working parts.

(2) To provide a shuttle actuating device which creates more picks perminute than present shuttle operating means, and by reason thereofpresent a higher degree of loom operating efliciency than the presentlyaccepted standard.

(3) To provide a shuttle operating means possessing a minimum mass,whereby upon operation of the stop motion due to breakage of the yarn orthread, the Weaving operation may be more quickly arrested.

(4) To provide a shuttle operating means which is re liable, eflicientand unfailing in operation, a shuttle actuating means which is notsubject to torque or transverse strain whereby breakage or breakdown isquite impossible with respect thereto, and wherein failure is generallylimited to cause based upon normal wear of associated parts to which anyoperating mechanism is subject.

(5) To provide a shuttle operating device which is quiet in operation.

(6) To provide a shuttle operating device which is cushioned andbalanced in operation in such degree as to eliminate thudding, vibrationand chatter.

(7) To provide a shuttle operating means which is without lost motionand accompanying shock whereby crystallization of working parts andbreakage due thereto is eliminated.

(8) to provide a shuttle operating means which greatly reduces thein-put power requirements for over-all loom operation.

(9) To provide a shuttle operating means which reduces maintenance coststo a minimum.

(10) To provide a shuttle operating means which is swift and quiet inoperation, the sound of which in operation is by its nature, notproductive of unrest or irritability.

(11) To provide a shuttle operating means which is adapted by its natureto provide a safety factor for attendants which is unknown in theweaving art today.

(12) To provide a shuttle operating means which is adapted to attachmentand functional use upon present day looms with a minimum conversioncost.

(13) Specifically, to provide a pair of pneumatically operated devicesadapted to alternately propel and receive a shuttle for propelling alongits race, the operating devices being so related to the shuttle and toone another as to direct and receive the shuttle medially of thelongitudi: nal axes thereof, and which devices are adapted to arrest theend flight of a shuttle in its reciprocating movement or flight from theone to the other of the operating devices, together with other relatedstructure adapted to effect timed sequence of operation thereof insynchronism with loom operation.

(14) To provide a novel means to accumulate and release compressed airfor operation of extendable means to accomplish work, the release ofaccumulated compressed air being more sudden than the accumulationthereof whereby the force of released air is in the nature of anexplosive action adapted to useful application.

(15) To provide a novel means to acctunulate and release compressed airfor operation of extendable means to alternately project and receive theshuttle in a power loom, the release of accumulated compressed air beingobtained in a cyclic period of shorter duration than the accumulationwhereby the release thereof is in the nature of an explosive force toobtain an initial maximum pressure thrust followed by a normally to beexpected expansive pressure.

(16) To provide a novel means to detachably interlock contiguous,related, operative devices, said means comprising a half groove in eachof the related devices whereby upon assembly, an internal annular grooveof full circular form is created, and a flexible key adapted to beinserted within said annular groove by relative rotation of one of therelated devices whereby upon application of an internal pressure withinthe contiguous, related devices, relative movement tending to separationthereof is inhibited by the resistance to shearing by the flexible key.

FIGURE 1 is a side-elevational view of a pneumatically powered pistonadapted to various uses where a sudden uni-directional power thrust is aprerequisite, such as for example, in propelling a shuttle in a powerloom, the operation of dies for stamping, for rock drills, and the like,this view incorporates in a single unit, the operating piston andcylinder, and the pneumatic charging cylinder whereby air is accumulatedand released for operating the piston; and

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof showing thedisposition of internal working parts, and as an application of use,showing the device mounted upon a supporting bracket and provided withan adaptor to project a shuttle and to receive a spent shuttle afterprojection.

FIGURES 3 to 6 are sectional views as seen along transverse lines 3-3,44, 55, and 66 in FIGURE 2 to show structure and disposition of partsnot clearly illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2; and

FIGURE 7 is an elevational view taken along line 77 FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 8 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 8-8, FIGURE 1,showing my novel means to detachably interlock separable co-operativeunits of an assembly,

the flexible key being in functional position, and the dotted,

line indicating the parting line of each of the separable parts.

FIGURE 9 is a similar transverse sectional view, but shows the flexiblekey at the point of beginning of placement within the internal, annulargroove formed upon union of the separable parts of the assembly; and

FIGURE 10 is a detail also similar to FIGURES 8 and 9, excepting thathere the annular groove formed by the separable parts is shown withoutreference to the previously mentioned key.

FIGURE 11 is an elevational view showing the flexible key detached fromthe parts with which it is adapted to cooperate.

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12- 12, FIGURE 9, showingfragments of the cooperative parts of an assembly, the view shows thekey in section, and includes a set-screw to prevent relative rotationalmovement of the separable parts of the assembly.

FIGURE 13 is a side-elevational view of a modified form of power unit,here the power piston and cylinder are detached from the pneumaticcharging cylinder, this form of the basic. construction shown in FIGURESl and. 2, is particularly well adapted to functionally operate to propeland receive the shuttle or shuttles of a power loo-m; and

FIGURE 14 is an end view thereof; while FIGURE 15 is a longitudinalsectional view thereof.

FIGURES 16 and 17 are detailed sectional views showing alternative formsof inner terminal finish for the vents in the power cylinder and in thecharging cylinder, whereby chafing of the sealing ring is minimized inpassing thereover.

FIGURE 18 is a schematic view of the portion of a power loom with whichthe present invention is com cerned, the view shows a pneumaticallypowered piston and cylinder, and charging cylinder of the type shown inFIGURE 13, attached by means of brackets to each end' of the shuttlerace, the view illustrates the mode of projection of, and receiving ashuttle in alternate directions, the piston which has previouslyprojected a shuttle, being or remaining in position to receive theshuttle from the other piston prior to a next projection thereof.

FIGURE 19 is a side-elevational view of the structure shown in FIGURE18, and further illustrates means to operate the charging cylinder valveto cause the release of air to the piston in timed sequence withmovement of the shuttle race, a similar, but oppositely disposedarrangement is positioned upon the other side of the loom.

FIGURE 20 is a top plan view of a shuttle race per se, and includes thepower piston and cylinder in functional position thereon, the dottedlines indicate the extreme forward and rear positions of the race.

FIGURE 21 isan enlarged view showing a fragment ofthe charging cylinderand. shows one form of cam device to effect operation thereof, includingadjustments for the cam to bring it in precise timing with movement of.the charging cylinder and the race upon which it is mounted.

FIGURE 22-is principally a top plan view taken along line 22-22, FIGURE21 showing the cam and related structure.

FIGURE 23 is a sectional view taken along line 23 23, FIGURE 21.

FIGURES 24, 25, and 26 are views showing a unidirectional swingable dogupon the valve stem of the charging cylinder, and of these views, FIGURE24 is a front elevational view; FIGURE 25 is a rear elevational view;and FIGURE 26 illustrates the freedom afforded the dog in idle movementover the fixed cam, While a shoulder on the valve stem is adapted tohold the dog rigid, and in alignment with the valve stem when moving,reversely.

FIGURE 27 is an elevational. view showing. aplural number of nested, butextendable cylinders adapted. to project and receive a shuttle, thedevice here shown is adapted to be used in lieu of the power cylinderand piston shown in FIGURE 13, in those instances where spacelimitations are a controlling factor, and is used in connection with thecharging cylinder shown in FIG- URE 13; and

FIGURE 28 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof.

FIGURE 29 is an end view of the device shown in FIGURE 27, see line2929, FIGURE 28; and

FIGURE 30 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 3030, FIGURE28.

FIGURE 31 is illustrative of another form of extendable means adapted toproject and receive a shuttle, here a bellows type structure having ashuttle adaptor in the head thereof is adapted to be substituted for thepower piston andv cylinder shown in FIGURE 13, and is adapted to meetparticular conditions surrounding an installation involving the basicphilosophy of the invention.

FIGURE 32 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof.

FIGURE 33 is an end elevational view thereof; and

FIGURE. 34 is a transverse sectional view taken along; line 3434',FIGURE 3 FIGURE 35 is a side elevational view showing the power unitillustrated in FIGURES l and 2 mounted upon an arbor to provide apneumatic press or die stamping structure; and

FIGURE 36 is a front elevational view thereof showing portions of theunit broken away to better illustrate one means of securing the unit tothe arbor.

To facilitate prosecution of this application, the applicant will groupthe several structural features of the disclosure in their relativeorder with respect to the basic conception, that is, pneumatic means toactuate a shuttle.

Within this grouping, there is, 1) the power cylinder andpiston formedas a unit with the charging cylinder; (2) the power cylinder and pistonformed as a unit with the charging cylinder, plus the shuttle andshuttle race in combination; (3) the power cylinder and piston formedseparately from the charging. cylinder, plus the shuttle and shuttlerace in combination; (4) the extendable telescopic sleeves, plus thecharging cylinder, and the s l uttle with its race, in combination; (5)the extendablgbell ows type sleeve and charbging cylinder, plus theshuttle and its race in combination; (6) the power unit illustrated inFIGURES l and 2 in combination with an arbor for pressv or stampingwork; (7) the device shown in FIGURES l, and 8 through 12 to detachablyinter-lock separable parts of a unit.

leference is now made to FIGURES l and 2 where in I show a pneumaticpower unit combiningin a uni tary structure 10, a. power piston andcylinder, together with means to accumulate and release compressed airfor operation of the piston. The structure 10 comprises a housing formedof the cylindrical shells or halfportions 12 and 14 which are broughttogether in overlapped, slidable abutment, and which are securely,although detachably joined together as will be herein,- after fullydescribed. The end wall 18 of the cylinder portion 14 is provided with amedially aligned and longitudinally disposed power cylinder 26,positioned partially within and partially without the cylinder.

The cylinder 20 is provided with an externally threaded closure or endwall 24 for threaded union therewith, and is provided with an externallythreaded boss 26 upon which there is positioned a like threaded coupling28 in medial longitudinal alignment therewith, and this coupling isthreaded at 28a for screw attachment to a bracket 29, or other support,such as an arbor for press work.

A tubular sleeve 30 within the closure and coupling is adapted to retaina sealing ring 32 in functional position around the piston rod 22 andagainst an inwardly projecting annular shoulder on the closure 24. Thecylinder 20 is formed with a plural number of radially disposed vents 36which serve to permit the escape of air forwardly of the piston head 38during its power stroke, after having passed the vents 36, air which istrapped between the closure 24 and the piston head is compressed andserves to cushion the piston at the end of its power stroke, while anadaptor 40 for a shuttle 42 is securely positioned upon the free end ofthe piston, although insofar as the power unit is concerned, otherdevices, such as a die, could be substituted for the shuttle as a meansof useful application.

The cylindrical shell 12 is provided with a flutter valve 46, the oneend of which is a plane surface, while the other end is formed with aboss-like extension or valve element 48 for seating in the inner end ofthe power cylinder 20, and comes to rest in abutment with an annularflange 50 therein and which serves as a stop therefor, as well as alsoacting as a stop for the piston when it is returned to the point of itsbeginning under impetus of an incoming shuttle, as will hereinafter bedescribed.

As the drawing shows, the flutter valve 46 is provided with a centralbore 52, the inner end of which terminates in a plural number of radialvents 54 which extend through the surface of the valve and are adaptedto be brought into register with similar radial vents 56 extendingthrough the wall of the shell 12 upon movement of the valve from one tothe other of its two extreme positions.

A spring pressed ball check-valve 58 in a bore 60 which extends throughthe body of the flutter valve, permits compressed air to flow from theone side thereof to the other and thence to the chamber 14a. A pluralnumber of seals 64 are placed in suitable grooves around the body of thevalve to limit loss of air from one side to the other thereof, andlikewise, a seal 66 upon the boss or valve 48 serves the same purpose.

The end 68 of the shell 12 is dimensioned to provide accommodation for apassage-way 70 of varied section across the diameter thereof, and whichat its one end is adapted to receive a screw plug 72 and at its oppositeend to receive a screw fitting 73 for an incoming pressure air line 75.The plug 72 is also of varied section, that is, its upper portion isthreaded for screw fitting at 74 into the bore or passage-way 70, whileinwardly thereof the plug is stepped down in section to provide anannular chamber 76 in ported communication with the inside of the shell12 as indicated at 78. A plural number of ports 80 in the lower part ofthe plug 72 are adapted to enable pressure air to flow from the line 75to the interior of the unit 10, as will be hereinafter described or setforth in the description of operation.

The annular chamber 76 is sealed at 82 against incoming pressure airexcept through the ports 80. A passageway 84 extends medially of thelength of the plug 72 and is in end communication with the bore 70' andprovides a seat for a piston type valve 86 which is movable from aposition in abutment with the shoulder 88 to a point below the ports 80so that air may be cut-off from flowing therethrough. From the shoulder88 outwardly, the passageway 84 is of reduced section, yet is largeenough to provide an elongated annular bore through which the valve stem90 extends, and through which exhaust air may flow to the ports 92 andatmosphere.

The pneumatic power unit described is adapted to per form variousservices where it is necessary to overcome: (1) a degree of resistancebased, initially upon inertia together with a possible clutching actionupon the work; (2) to impart high velocity to the work; (3) to imparthigh velocity plus a continuing pressure to the work after momentum hasbeen established.

In FIGURES 13, 14 and 15, I show a modified form of the basicconstruction previously described, the principal difference being thatin this disclosure the piston and cylinder are formed as a unit separatefrom the pressure air charging cylinder or unit, the separated unitsbeing joined by a manifold 100a for passage of compressed air, and inthe following description thereof, like structural features will begiven the reference character used in connection with the description ofFIGURES 1 through 12 where applicable.

The power unit 100 comprises a piston rod 22 and a piston head 38 whichare operable in the cylinder 20, the piston rod being power actuated inone direction through the sleeve 39 in the closure 24 and the coupling28, and is provided with an adaptor 40 upon the free end thereof. Theadaptor is essentially bell shaped and the interior surface thereof islined with a resilient material 102 such as rubber or rubberized fabricso as to absorb and cushion the impact force of a shuttle 42 which haspreviously been ejected by a like power unit upon the shuttle race, seeFIGURE 18.

The pressure air changing unit 106 is in all essential detail identicalto that part of the unit 10 heretofore described, and is of identicalfunctional service, being provided with a cylindrical housing 108 withinwhich a flutter valve 46 is adapted to move through a limited rangeunder air pressure, and which valve is provided with a boss-likeextension or valve element 48 for seating within the annular recess 110formed in the inner end of a tubular extension 112 of the closure 1 14.A spider 116 supports the inner end of the tube 112 medially of thelongitudinal axis of the unit 106 whereby the valve element 48 is inconstant alignment with the recess 10% for repetitious seating therein.The spider is formed with openings 118 to permit movement of pressureair therethrough to the chamber 62a during the accumulation period, aswell as to permit a reverse flow thereof to the tube 112. The fluttervalve 46 is provided with a medial and longitudinally disposed bore 52and with radial vents 54 extending from the inner end thereof for cyclicregister with the radial vents 56 which extend through the wall of theunit 106 to permit the escape of air therethrough.

The unit 106 is also provided with an air inlet line and a bore 70 toenable air to flow to the interior of the fitting 72 and thence throughports to the chamber 76 and through port 78 to the interior of the unit106, and in like manner, a piston valve 86 is adapted to abut and restagainst a shoulder 88 in the bore 70, and is adapted upon movement toits opposite position in the bore 70, in response to cam pressure, topermit the exhaust of air outwardly through the annular chamber 84 tothe ports 92 and to atmosphere.

In FIGURES l8 and 19 I show a pair of the units and 106 mounted inbrackets 29 upon the ends of a power loom shuttle race 104.

The present invention is not concerned with the operation of a powerloom per se, suffice to state, that the race 104 is oscillatable withand upon swords 122, and that this oscillatory movement occurs in timedsequence with operation of the loom as a whole in weaving cloth, andthat the weft is laid by the shuttle as it moves back and forth acrossthe race, hence it follows that movement of the shuttle along the raceinvolves precise timing to admit air to the power pistons so thatalternate unidirectional operation thereof may be had in synchronismwith the other parts of the loom whereby a repetitious operation takesplace.

In FIGURES 18 and 19 I show upon the frame of a loom, the location ofcams adapted to effect periodic and cyclic operation of the chargingunits 106, while in FIG- URES 21 through 26 I show this structure indetail as a means to effect operation of the piston valve 86 whereby airis exhausted from the units 106 as a means to cause accumulated pressureair in these units to flow to the piston for functional use.

Since the shuttle 42 moves from the end A to the end B of the race, andthen in reverse order, and since I prefer in the present disclosure toshow a cam 120 which is stationary upon the frame 132, it is necessarythat upon a single movement of the race, that one of the valves 86 befunctionally operated in passing over the cam, while the other isinoperative, and conversely with respect to the other valve. Toaccomplish this action I provide a cam 120 for each unit 106. Each camis fulcrumed upon a stud 134 which is fixed upon a plate 136 which islongitudinally slidable within but held against lateral movement by aguide 138 having a back face plate 140 and spaced parallel lips M2, andwhich guide is fixedly positioned upon the frame 132 by any suitablemeans. A screw 144 attached to the plate 136 and threaded through-a web144a in the guide, is adapted to provide means to adjust the crest ofthe cam with respect to the medial vertical axis of the valve stem 59. Ascrew 146 having its bite in the flange 148 upon the plate 136 isadapted to raise and lower the crest of the cam with respect to aswingable dog 156 which is pivotal-ly positioned in the valve stem 90,so that accuracy of vertical adjustment thereof may be had to effectproperly timed movement of the piston valve 86.

As the drawing shows, the dog 150 swings laterally upon its pivot whenthe unit 106 moves in the direction of the arrow C and then swings b ackto pendent position after clearing the cam 120 in moving to either theposition at 154 or 160 in dotted lines in FIGURE 20, the full lineposition 156 being the position of the race when the shuttle isreleased, while a shoulder 158 on the valve stem supports one side ofthe dog in its opposite movement over the cam 120 so as to apply anin-line pressure upon the valve stem, whereby the valve 86 is forcedacross the ports 86 so that incoming pressure air is cutoff, andpressure air is enabled to exhaust from the space between the face 46bof the flutter valve and the adjacent end wall of the unit therebypermitting functional op eration of the piston as will be hereinafterset forth.

It is assumed that the previous descriptive matter refers to the powerunit at the end A of the shuttle race then operation of, and release ofpressure air from the charging unit 106 at the end B of the shuttle raceis controlled by reversal of position of the parts just described, forit is necessary that the application of power to the shuttle be had atapproximately the full line position 156 after having moved from thedotted line position 160*.

The structure hereinbefore described is readily installed upon a powerloom in lieu of the means heretofore employed to actuate a shuttle, theinstallation being easily and quickly substituted for the presentcumbersome and in fact, primitive picker-stick, however, it is possiblethat in certain instances, because of space limitation, the power pistonstructure previously described would be ill adapted to use, accordingly,and to meet such situations, I have conceived a structural modificationof the basic philosophy thereof which I will now described, and whichmodification is adapted to be used in combination with the pressure aircharging unit 106.

This modification is shown in FIGURES 2 8 through 30, and comprises aplural number of cylindrical sleeves 170 and 172, and a closed cylinder174 which are adapted to telescopically fit together to form a compactunit of approximately the length of a single one of the parts thereof,and of which sleeves, the sleeve 170 is fixedly secured to the bracket29 upon the race 104.

The sleeve 170 is formed with an annular shoulder 176 which serves as aguide and a stop for sleeve 172, which is also formed with an annularshoulder 178 upon the outer surface of the inner end thereof, while asimilar shoulder 180 is formed upon the inner surface of the outer endof sleeve 172, and is adapted to provide a stop for the shoulder 18-2.

The forward end of the element 174 is recessed to provide an adaptor 184for a shuttle 42. The inner face of the bracket 29 may be recessed asshown at 186 so that pressure air flowing through the inlet port 188from the manifold 100a will be in effective contact with the whole ofthe exposed end 190 of the element 174, and in contact with asubstantial portion of the adjacent end face of the tube and flange 172and 178, whereby an 8 initial high velocity may be imparted to themovable elements of the unit.

A series of radially disposed vents 192. extend through the wall of thesleeve 17 2 and are uncovered upon extension of the unit as shown indotted lines, see FIGURE 28, so that pressure air used to force theparts 172 and 174- forwardly may be exhausted to atmosphere, while airwhich is entrapped in the space between the parts 17 0 and 172 and theshoulders thereof, serves to cushion the forward impetus of the massthereof. It is to be noted that each of the shoulders mentioned not onlyserve successively as stops for the slidable elements of the unit, butthat they also serve as aligning guides therefor to support the unit inunfailing alignment for use in actuating the shuttle.

In FIGURES 31 through 34 I show another modification of extendableconstruction which is adapted to actuate a shuttle upon a loom race, andwhich lends itself very Well to those installations where space is aprime consideration and in which compactness is essential.

The construction here shown is generally that of an accordion, that isit has foldable sides which upon the application of an internal airpressure will cause the outer end to be extended to project a shuttle,and comprises a back plate zsa and a front plate 2&2 which are joined bya longitudinally extendable accordion-like tube 2594 the ends or" whichare molded into annular grooves in the plates. The part 204 ispreferably formed of rubber and has concentric bands 2% of steel wireplaced upon the exterior surface thereof and lying between each of thefolds and which serve to limit lateral expansion under pressure of airwhich enters therein through the inlet port 210 from the chargingcylinder 1%. The folds 23% are helical in nature and have a continuouslength of steel wire 214 imbedded in the outer bend 2112 thereof, andwhich being resistant to extension, naturally tends to facilitate returnto normal compactness in cooperation with the force applied by aninbound shuttle.

The plate 202 is recessed to form an adaptor 218 for actuation andreception of a shuttle 42, and the inner end of the adaptor is providedwith a rod-like extension 222 which is adapted to slidably move in andout of a tubular guide 224 whereby the unit is provided with guidance,particularly during the initial stage of a forward extension. The tube224- may be integrally formed with a spider 226 cast or formed as partof the plate 200, and enables pressure air to flow to the unit throughthe port 210 as aforementioned.

In FIGURES 1, and 8 through 12, I show a novel means to detachably joinand secure together the separable elements of a construction to form aunitary whole, and this arrangement is particularly well adapted to usewhen the separable elements are tubular and the mated ends of theunitary whole are over-lapped and in end abutment as shown in FIGURE 12.

The construction involves the milling of an annular groove 250 in theouter face of the inner part 251, and this groove is slightly deeperthan a one half circle, as shown in FIGURE 12, and the milling of a likegroove 252 in the inner face of the outer part 253 so that when theparts are in union, the completed annular groove 255 is that of aslightly elongated circle in transverse section, and this configurationis had to facilitate the feeding in of a flexible steel key 254 throughan elongated opening 256 which extends through the wall of the outerpart 253 and terminates in a pit or recess 258 in the inner element 251whereby an edge 260 is formed for engagement with the hook 262 upon theone end of the key 254 as shown in FIGURE 9. The tail of the key isslightly curved at 257 oppositely from the inclination of the hook. Whenthe key is placed in functional position by first engaging the hook 262upon or with the edge 260 and then rotating the structure of which theedge 260 is an element, in a clockwise direction, the whole of the keyis drawn down into the annular 9 groove so that the curved end portion257 is reversely bent and lies therein, but with the tip 254a thereofvisible through the. opening 256.

Upon reverse rotation of the part 251, the hook is carried backwardlyand the portion 257 reforms itself as it is progressively exerted fromconfinement within the groove 255.

Since the part 257 is reformable in an outward curve from the unit,withdrawal of the key is facilitated, or otherwise the tip end 257awould bite into the sides of the opening 256 and interfere with its freewithdrawal from the groove 255.

If a fluid pressure exists within a chamber 264 formed by union of thedetachable parts, the tendency of the parts to slip apart is resisted bythe shearing resistance across the diameter or width of the key throughthe whole of the length thereof, and constitutes a resistance whichserves to provide an exceedingly strong inter-locking means. A screw 266may be used to prevent rotation drift of the parts, especially if theyare subjected to vibration.

The structure herein shown and described forms a simple eflicient,strong, and easily used unobtrusive means to detachably join theseparable elements of an assembly of the nature described, or of otherparts susceptible of similar end joining.

The pneumatic power unit shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 is well adapted to anumber of industrial uses, among which may be mentioned, pneumatichammers and presses.

In FIGURES 35 and 36 I illustrate the use of the power unit incombination with an arbor for support to form an industrial press. Thecylinder 26 of the power unit shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 may be placed inthe bore 269 of the neck 270 of the stand 272, and can be securedtherein by a nut 274 upon the threaded end of the cylinder assembly. Adie such as that shown at 44 upon the piston 22 is adapted to apply animpression to the work 278 upon manual operation of a hand grip 280which rocks a bellcrank 282 to push the valve stem 90 inwardly toactuate the charging cylinder 12 as hereinbefore described whereby thepiston 22 is forcibly actuated to apply the die to the work for anyuseful purpose.

The preceding descriptive matter is principally directed to pneumaticpower means to operate a power loom shuttle to lay the weft in weavingcloth.

In certain instances the unit (see FIGURES 1 and 2) is adapted toaccomplish this purpose. In other instances the unit shown in FIGURES13, 14 and 15 is best adapted to actuate a loom shuttle, while in stillother situations where loom clearances are small, the structure shown inFIGURES 27 through 30, or in FIG- URES 31 through 34 is best adapted touse.

In view of the above statement, the following descrip- I tion ofoperation as applied to a loom, will be directed to the species of theinvention shown in FIGURES 13, 14, and 15, with but passing reference tothe modifications thereof.

The piston unit 100 is screw attached to the bracket 29 so as to placethe adaptor 40 in medial longitudinal alignment with the accepted courseof shuttle travel, and .the charging unit 106 is secured in the otherend of this bracket, as between the bands 103 and 105 (see FIG- URE 18)to secure the valve stem 90 in such position as to be forced inwardly asthe shuttle race passes over the work surface of the cam 12%). In thisconnection it is also to be noted that the dogs 150 in the valve stems90 are adapted to swing in clearance of the cam when non-functionallypassing thereover, that is, in moving from the dotted line position 160to the dotted line position 154, but that the dog is rigidly supportedin moving from the position 154 to the full line position 156, whichposition is the normal position of the race at the moment the shuttle isprojected from the end A thereof,

and the opposite thereof is true with respect to the charging cylinderposition B, for here the assembly passes over a like, although reverselypositioned cam 120, and in which position the dog swings in clearance ofthe cam in moving from position 154 to 160, but is held rigid in movingfrom position 160 to position 156, which position is the firing positionof the shuttle from the end B of the shuttle race. It is also to benoted that with the line 75 connected to a source of pressure air, thevalve 86 is normally seated against the valve stop 88 so that air willflow through the ports 80, across the chamber 76 to the port 78 andcause the flutter valve 46 to move to a position in which the valve 48is seated within the recess 110 which position stops further movementthereof so that thereafter air pressure builds up within the spacecreated upon movement of the valve 46, in sufiicient degree to unseatthe ball check valve 58, and flowing therethrough, fills the chamber6221 so that both sides of the valve 46 are under equal air pressure,and this condition remains static until the valve stem is pushedinwardly by the cam 120, whereupon the piston valve 86 passes over andacross the ports 80 so that line pressure is cutoff and air in front ofthe valve 46 is permitted to exhaust through the port 78 and outwardlythrough the bore 86 to the ports 9?. and to atmosphere.

Since the flutter valve was previously in static balance, the suddenrelease of air pressure causes it to move back to its point of beginningso that the pressure air previously accumulated within the chamber 62a,now

rushes through the openings 118 in the spider 116 and into the tube 112and the manifold a to the power cylinder 20 to force the piston andadaptor outwardly with sufiicient force to cause the shuttle to travelthe length of the race for socketing within the adaptor upon theextended piston of the other power unit. During this movement of thepiston rod 22, air between the head 38 and the closure 24 partiallyescapes through the vents 36. After the piston head 38 passes the vents,the remaining air is entrapped and serves to cushion the head to preventhammering, but at the same time, pressure air which pushed the pistonpast the vents is enabled to escape therethrough to atmosphere, thepiston traveling the distance from the vents to the closure 24 under acombination of forces represented by a diminishing air pressure in thecylinder, and by the momentum of the piston and adaptor. After thepiston has traveled its full stroke, it remains in extended positionuntil driven back to the point of its beginning under the impact of ashuttle moving from the other end of the race.

If the operation just described is considered as being .rom the end A ofthe shuttle race 104, and that the shuttle has been driven to positionB, a reversal of the operation causes the shuttle to force the pistonrod 22 into the cylinderlll so that air within the cylinder is expelledthrough the manifold 100a and through the tube 112.. During thisinterval the valve 86 will have again returned to normal position sothat line pressure will have again forced the flutter valve to aposition closing the inner end of the tube 112 so that as air isexpelled therefrom under impetus of the shuttle, it flows through thepassage-way 52 and through the radial vents 54 and 56 to atmosphere asshown in FIGURE 2, and in dotted lines in FIGURE 15.

The operation described is that involved in a single, complete cycle ofshuttle movement, and is inclusive of the functional operation of theseveral parts involved in the power unit. The matter of precise timingfor operation of the valve 86 through manipulation of the adjustments144 and 146 is a matter of spot requirement and is perhaps variable witheach installation, but regardless thereof, is believed to be clear andwithin the understanding of any person of sufiicient skill and abilityto install and service power looms.

The operation of the modified forms of the invention l 1 shown inFIGURES 27 through 30, and in FIGURES 31 through 34, is believed to bereadily understandable, for the structures shown are merely extendableunder incoming air pressure and are returnable to their points ofbeginning under impact of an in-bound shuttle, and in both of thesemodifications of the conception, the pressure air required for operationthereof, finds its timed release in the charging unit 106 which isconnected to either of the modifications by means of the manifoldlfiila.

The use and application of the interlocking device shown in FIGURES l,and 8 through 12 is believed to be understandable without furtherstatement, while the application of the power unit shown in FIGURES land 2 to the arbor illustrated in FIGURES 35 and 36 is also thought tobe clearly understood without further comment.

Therefore, having thus described my invention in its presently preferredform, but without limitation thereto, that for which I seek LettersPatent, is as follows.

I claim:

1. In a pneumatic device to apply an intermittent unidirectional pistonpressure, a housing means in said housing to admit pressure-air thereto,a piston and piston cylinder in the housing, and valves, one of saidvalves being operable to create compartments in the housing and to sealan adjacent end of said piston cylinder, another of said valves beingseated in the first mentioned valve so as to enable pressure-air to flowtherethrough from one compartment to the other thereof for accumulation,and other valve means to permit exhaust of pressure-air from one of thecompartments in the housing whereby said first mentioned valve moves toits point of beginning to release accumulated pressure-air from theother of the compartments to said piston and piston cylinder.

2. In a pneumatic device to apply an intermittent, unidirectional pistonpressure, a housing, a piston and piston cylinder, the piston having aworking direction of movement and a return direction of movement, valvesin said housing, one of said valves being adapted to limitedlongitudinal movement in the housing from a non-functional positionwhereby a first compartment and a second compartment is formed therein,means to admit an intermittent fiow of pressure-air to said firstcompartment, means to by-pass air from said first compartment to saidsecond compartment for accumulation thereof, and a valve to exhaustpressure-air from said first compartment whereby internal pressurewithin said housing is unbalanced to effect return movement of saidfirst mentioned valve to non-functional position and whereby releasedpressure-air in said second compartment flows to said piston and pistoncylinder use to effect movement of the piston in its working direction.

3. In a pneumatic power device to apply an intermittent unidirectionalpiston pressure, a cylindrical housing, a piston cylinder having an openend in the housing and a piston operable in the cylinder, a valveadapted to move from one end of the housing to a position adapted toseal the open end of said piston cylinder so as to form a firstcompartment and a second compartment in the housing, means to by-passpressure-air from said first compartment to said second compartment foraccumulation thereof, an unimpeded passage-way to admit pressure-air tosaid first compartment for by-passing to said second compartment, asecond valve, said second valve being operable in said passage-way tocut off inflowing air and to permit exhaust thereof from said firstcompartment whereby upon unbalancing of air pressure within saidcompartments said first mentioned valve moves to its point of beginningthereby releasing accumulated pressure-air within said secondcompartment to said piston and piston cylinder, and means to permitexhaust of spent pressure-air from said piston cylinder.

4. The device as set forth in claim 3, and wherein, said meanscomprising vents extending through the Walls of said piston cylinder.

5. In a pneumatic power device to apply an intermittent uni-directionalpiston pressure to work, a hollow cylindrical housing, a piston cylinderhaving an open end in said housing and a piston operable in thecylinder, a valve adapted to move from one end of the housing to aposition sealing the open end of said cylinder whereby a firstcompartment and a second compartment is formed in the housing, means insaid valve to by-pass pressure-air from said first compartment to saidsecond compartment for equalized pressure accumulation thereof, anunimpeded passage-way to admit pressure-air to said first compartmentprior to bypassing to said second compartment, a second valve, saidsecond valve being operable in said passage-Way to cut-oil inflowing airand to permit exhaust thereof from said first compartment whereby uponunbalancing of air pressure within said compartments said firstmentioned valve moves to its point of beginning thereby releasingaccumulated pressure-air within said second compartment to said pistonand piston cylinder, and means to permit exhaust of spent pressure airin said cylinder concurrently with forward movement of the piston, saidmeans comprising apertures so located in the walls of the pistoncylinder as to be uncovered by said piston in its power stroke.

6. The structure as defined in claim 5, including, and,

r means to evacuate air from said piston cylinder upon a return movementof the piston to its point of beginning for a next power stroke, saidlast mentioned means comprising vents in the walls of said housing andvents in said first mentioned valve, the vents in the valve beingregistrable with the vets in said housing upon compartmentation thereofby said valve.

E7. A pneumatic power unit comprising: a housing forming an accumulatorchamber; a pneumatic power unit communicating with said chamber; a valvecontrolling communication between said chamber and said power unit; apiston operatively connected to said valve; a cylinder in which saidpiston is slidable to open and close said valve; means for supplyingpressure air to said cyliner on both sides of said piston and to saidchamber; and a valve for venting the air on one side of said piston,whereby the air under pressure on the other side'thereof will move saidpiston to open said chamber valve so as to admit air to said power unit]8. A pneumatic power unit comprisin a housing forming an accumulatorchamber; a pnuematic power unit communicating with said chamber; a valvecontrolling communication between said chamber and said power unit; apiston operatively connected to said valve; a cylinder in which saidpiston is slidable to open and close said valve; a passagewaycommunicating with opposite sides of said piston; a check valvecontrolling said passageway, yielding means normally urging said checkvalve toward a closed position; means for supplying pressure air to saidcylinder on the side of said piston which will urge said piston towardmain valve closing position, said check valve permitting the passage ofair therethrough after said main valve is closed so as to fill saidchamber and subsequently equalize the pressure on both sides of saidpiston; and a valve for venting the air on one side of said piston,whereby the air under pressure on the other side thereof will move saidpiston to open said chamber valve so as to admit air to said power unit.

9. A pnuematic power unit comprising: a housing having an accumulatorchamber, a pneumatic power unit including a cylinder having an openingat an inner end zhereof communicating with said chamber, a pistonincluding a piston head movable in a power stroke in said cylinder froma point of beginning adjacent to said inner end, and a driving member onand projecting from the piston head and beyond the opposite end of thecylinder to impart velocl'ly to work; a valve seating on an annular stopadjacent said inner end of the cylinder and controlling communicationbeti'vecn said chamber and said cylinder of the power unit,- avalvc-controlling piston operatively connested to said valve; a cylinderin which said valve-com trolling piston is slidable to open and closesaid valve; means for supplying pressure air to said last-mentionedcylinder on both sides of said valve-controlling piston and to saidchamber; and a valve for venting the air on one side of saidvalve-controlling piston, whereby the air on the other side thereof willmove said valve-controlling piston to open said chamber valve so as toadmit accumulated pressure air within said chamber through said innerend of said power unit cylinder to drive said power unit piston in apower stroke from said point of beginning.

10. A pneumatic power unit comprising: a housing having an accumulatorchamber, a pneumatic power unit including a cylinder having an openingat its inner end communicating with said chamber, a piston including apiston head movable in a power stroke in said cylinder from a point ofbeginning adjacent to said inner end, and a driving member on andprojecting from the piston head and beyond the opposite end of thecylinder to impart velocity to work; a first valve seating on an annularstop adjacent said opening and controlling communication between saidchamber and said cylinder of the power unit; a valve-controlling pistonoperatively connected to said first valve; a cylinder in which saidvalve-controlling piston is slidable to open and close said first valve;means for supplying pressure air to said last mentioned cylinder on bothsides of said valve-controlling piston and to said chamber; a secondvalve for venting the air on one side of said valve-controlling piston,whereby the air on the the other side thereof will move saidvalve-controlling piston to open said first valve so as to admitaccumulated pressure air within said chamber through said inner end ofsaid power unit cylinder to drive said power unit piston in a powerstroke from said point of beginning; and means to permit exhaust ofspent pressure air from said power unit cylinder when the power unitpiston returns to said point of beginning.

11. A pneumatic power unit comprising: a housing having an accumulatorchamber, a pneumatic power unit including a cylinder having an openingat its inner end communicating with said chamber, a piston including apiston head movable in a power stroke in said cylinder from a point ofbeginning adjacent to said inner end, and a driving member on andprojecting from the piston head and beyond the opposite end of thecylinder to impart velocity to work; a first valve seating on an annularstop about said opening and controlling communication between saidchamber and said cylinder of the power unit; a valve-controlling pistonoperatively connected to said first valve; a cylinder in which saidvalve-controlling piston is slidable to open and close said first valve;means for supplying pressure air to said last mentioned cylinder on bothsides of said valve-controlling piston and to said chamber; a secondvalve for venting the air on one side of said valve-controlling piston,whereby the air on the other side thereof will move saidvalve-controlling piston to open said first valve so as to admitaccumulated pressure air within said chamber through said inner end ofsaid power unit cylinder to drive said unit piston in a power strokefrom said point of beginning; and means to permit exhaust of spentpressure air from said power unit cylinder when the power unit pistonreturns to said point of beginning, said last mentioned means includingapertures so located in the walls of the power unit cylinder as to beuncovered by said power unit piston in its power stroke.

12. A pneumatic power unit comprising: a housing having an accumulatorchamber, a pneumatic power unit including a cylinder having an openingat its inner end communicating with said chamber, a piston including apiston head movable in a power stroke in said cylinder from a point ofbeginning adjacent to said inner end, and a driving member on andprojecting from the piston head and beyond the opposite end of thecylinder to impart velocity to work; a first valve seating on an annularstop about said opening and controlling communication between saidchamber and said cylinder of the power unit; a valve-controlling pistonoperatively connected to said first valve; a cylinder in which saidvalve-controlling piston is slidable to open and close said first valve;means for supplying pressure air to said last mentioned cylinder on bothsides of said valve-controlling piston and to said chamber; a secondvalve for venting the air on one side of said valve-controlling piston,whereby the air on the other side thereof will move saidvalve-controlling piston to open said first valve so as to admitaccumulated pressure air within said chamber through said inner end ofsaid power unit cylinder to drive said power unit piston in a powerstroke from said point of beginning; and means to evacuate air from saidpower unit cylinder upon return movement of the power unit piston tosaid point of beginning, said last mentioned means comprising a ventpassage through said first valve.

13. A pneumatic power unit comprising: a housing having an accumulatorchamber, a pneumatic p wer unit including a cylinder having an openingat its inner end communicating with said chamber, a piston including apiston head movable in a power stroke in said cylinder from a point ofbeginning adjacent to said inner end, and a driving member on andprojecting from the piston head and beyond the Opposite end of thecylinder to impart velocity to work; a first valve seating on an annularstop about said opening and controlling communication. between saidchamber and said cylinder of the power unit; a valve-controlling pistonoperatively connected to said first valve; a cylinder in which saidvalve-controlling piston is slidable to open and close said first valve;means for supplying pressure air to said last mentioned cylinder on bothsides of said valve-controlling piston and to said chamber; and a secondvalve for venting the air on one side of said valve-controlling piston,whereby the air on the other side thereof will move saidvalve-controlling piston to open said first valve so as to admitaccumulated pressure air within said chamber through said inner end ofsaid power unit cylinder to drive said power unit piston in a powerstroke from said point of beginning; and means to permit exhaust ofspent pressure air from said p wer unit cylinder when the power unitpiston returns to said point of beginning, said second valve beingmounted in said housing and having a valve stem extending from thehousing and operative externally of the housing to actuate said secondvalve.

References Cited in the file of this patent or the original patentUNITED STATES PATENTS 288,331 Haskell et a1. Nov. 13, 1883 300,468Haskell et a1. June 17, 1884 402,228 Burke Apr. 30, 1889 746,337Junggren Dec. 8, 1903 921,658 Bachman May 18, 1909 1,007,733 Rhodes Nov.7, 1911 1,047,363 Yarbrough Dec. 17, 1912 1,879,184 Gilmore Sept. 27,1932 1,945,238 Sumner Jan. 30, 1934 2,154,038 Evrell Apr. 11, 19392,389,942 Thumin et a1. Nov. 27, 1945 2,458,714 Mahoney Jan. 11, 19492,488,192 Hindle Nov. 15, 1949 2,548,439 Motfett Apr. 10, 1951

